CoolRVers On and Off the Road: Seward, Alaska

Exit Glacier

Friday, July 8th was a hiking and touring day for us in Seward. We were able to drive to Exit Glacier, part of the Harding Icefields, in about 15 minutes and then follow a trail to the edge of the glacier.

(Left) Pull-out areas give you a long view of Exit Glacier long before you reach the visitor’s center. (Right) The same area as seen from the glacier’s edge looking back.

Like all the glaciers we have seen, the wall of ice is retreating rapidly. There is about a half-mile trail uphill to the current edge of the glacier but signs along the path show where that edge was at various years.

Interpretive signage explain the Exit Glacier’s movement.

The edge of Exit Glacier. The “blue” color is breathtaking.

We are strollers, not hikers, so the 200' elevation change over a short distance of trail switchbacks was something we took at our pace. But we made it!

Going DOWN the hill was more fun.

Driving Around Seward

We enjoy driving around town, wandering into the many gift shops (and trying not to buy “stuff”), and getting a sense of each community we visit. Seward, which was nearly wiped out by the 1964 Good Friday Alaskan Earthquake and Tsunami, has the re-built tourist areas along the Resurrection Bay port and coastline and a “historic” business district about a mile west that features restaurants and stores with fun names. A few shots from our afternoon drive:

The real ravens in Seward are not scared very easily. This group of birds had discovered an unattended bag of dog food in the back of a pick-up truck and were munching away. Only one moved when we walked by and the others barely moved when the truck owner came out of the local liquor store to shoo them away.

The American Legion Hall looked busy. The Seward Elks was only open Friday nights and Saturdays. No RV parking apparent.

Never heard the story of how this ship found its final resting spot along the Lowell Point Road.

Mountain Marathon

We were not in town for Seward’s Fourth of July Celebration and their 84th running of the famous Mt. Marathon Race, the second oldest footrace in America. Click the link to learn more about this race that developed out of a bet to see who could reach the top of the nearby mountain in less than an hour. We can see the mountain from our campground (or anywhere in town), but we took a drive up to the start of the trail where warnings and routes are posted for anyone who wants to try to tackle the mountain.

Someone had shown up a SUV Limo – it could not make it very far. I think Frank would have enjoyed the challenge.

Eating Out in Seward

Previously I reported on a lunch we had at the “Smoke Shack” down by the railroad terminal and boat docks. We tried two restaurants in the historic district, just across from the SeaLife Center.

Pizza was the order of the day for lunch at Cristo’s Palace. Plenty went home for left-overs.

We also went back to eat at the Apollo Restaurant (See the gang checking the menu in “Seward – Part 2”).

From Left: Judy’s Chicken Marsala, Gloria’s Chicken Caesar Salad, and Luke’s Frutti Dimare (Seafood Pasta).

Before and after of Frank’s Calabrese (Stuffed Halibut in a phyllo dough) and Alfredo Penne Pasta. Everything was yummy and the prices were reasonable.

Wildlife

Friday’s wildlife report could have started with the sign board outside the Exit Glacier Visitor Center but I didn’t take a photo of it. Under reported wildlife seen nearby: MOSQUITOS!!! You had to be careful climbing the glacier path that you kept your mouth closed. Otherwise we would have seen this report under the Eating Out heading.

Our other stop was at the Bear Creek Weir where the salmon are starting to jump the ladder. Because of the angle, we could not actually see how the fish, if they were successful jumpers, could make it beyond the grates crossing the weir. There were plenty there trying to make the jump.